Revolutionary Apparatus Producing High Resolution Images of the Commonly Viewed Exterior Surfaces of Automobiles

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an apparatus and a process for producing and viewing through the internet high-resolution images of the commonly viewed exterior surfaces of a vehicle, while maintaining the same background view for multiple images of the vehicle. The background and the imaging device are revolved around a vehicle which is maintained in fixed position between the background and the imaging device. There can be two or more opposed imaging devices and two or more opposed displays. The vehicle does not need to be rotated or moved during the imaging.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a CIP of and claims priority to USApplication No. 13/044,215, filed Mar. 9, 2011, which claims priority toU.S. provisional patent application No. 61/311875, filed Mar. 9, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to production and viewing, through the Internetand without image downloading or high band-width requirements, ofhigh-resolution images of the commonly viewed exterior surfaces of avehicle, while maintaining the same background view for multiple imagesof the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

In the used car market, views of the exterior of the car (but notusually the underside) are typically required by and provided to thebuyer before consummating a transaction. High resolution images showingsmall flaws and damage to the vehicle are preferred. One method ofmaking these images is to rotate the vehicle on a turntable and create aseries of images against a consistent background. The images can bedisplayed and viewed in a manner to generate a virtual 360 degree tourof the vehicle.

The two problems with this approach are that a turntable for a vehicleis a heavy, expensive and complex piece of equipment, and that highresolution images require long delays to download - or cannot bedownloaded and viewed by a potential vehicle purchaser withoutconsiderable bandwidth. An additional problem is that the uppermost sideof a vehicle is often not shown unless a robot for moving the imagingdevice is used. See FSI Viewer (Neptunelabs Gmbh). These known methodsare expensive and have serious disadvantages for performing the imagingof a vehicle.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the invention is a process of producing and viewingthrough the internet high-resolution images of the commonly viewedexterior surfaces of a vehicle, while maintaining the same backgroundview for the images. The images are stored on a server accessiblethrough the internet, and can be selectively zoomed and viewed throughthe internet, so that less bandwidth is required than if the entirety ofall the high-resolution images was accessible for each isolated viewthrough the internet.

This process involves producing multiple images of a vehicle (stillframe or video) by revolution of both an imaging device and a displayaround a vehicle which is in a fixed position between them, such that asthe imaging device captures multiple images of the vehicle, the displayis also captured in each of said images. The images are sufficientlypixilated such that even minor damage to the vehicle exterior surfacecan be viewed by zooming in when the images are displayed. Normal viewsof the images may not allow viewing of minor damage, so as to avoidrequirements for large data streams. The images are uploaded to a serverand can be viewed remotely through the internet, without downloading ofthe images.

Another aspect of the invention is an apparatus for producing images ofthe commonly viewed exterior surfaces of a vehicle, while maintainingthe same background view for multiple images of the vehicle. Theapparatus includes an imaging device (producing still frame or video)and a display wherein the imaging device can be revolved around avehicle which is in a fixed position between them. The imaging deviceand the display revolve around the vehicle in the same direction and atthe same rate such that as the imaging device captures multiple imagesof the vehicle, the display is captured in each of said multiple images.The imaging device and the display are preferably wheeled and can belinked to ensure coordinated revolution, or otherwise timed tocoordinate their movement and maintain their relative positions.

The degree of arc followed by the display and the imaging device can beadjustable - for example, by using wheels which rotate on a verticalaxis to control direction - or by using fixed wheels set to generate aparticular arc for the display and the dolly or carrier rack whichtransport the imaging device. The display and the dolly or carrier rackthemselves can also be arced like the chassis on which they rest, andcan be composed of multiple sections, for easy transport. The dolly orcarrier rack for the imaging device can also carry other componentsincluding lighting (projecting towards the vehicle), a computer (toupload images), a seat for an operator, a drive motor to power therevolution, a power source, an adjustable holder for the imaging device(which may extend upwardly to allow capturing images of the uppermostside of the vehicle), and other components, e.g., a timer, digitalcompass or a travel sensor to control when images are captured.

In another aspect, the invention includes use of two background displaysand two imaging devices, one opposed to each background display.Preferably, each imaging device is mounted on the same support as thebackground display. This arrangement is designed to provide fasterimaging of the vehicle - the images of all sides of the vehicle arecompleted in ½ a revolution of the backgrounds and imaging devicesaround the vehicle.

In another aspect, the invention includes use of a flexible enclosure(preferably around all sides and the top, but with an opening for avehicle to enter) where the interior of the enclosure can include abackground display (instead of the background display being on asupport). This enclosure can be used with one or more imaging devices.

In a related embodiment using a flexible enclosure, a flexible enclosurecan encompass the outside of the supports for the imaging device(s) andthe display(s), and cover the otherwise open space above the areabetween the supports (like a tent over the entire support structures).At least one opening in the flexible enclosure is needed for entry andexit of the vehicle.

Other aspects of the invention are shown in the drawings and describedin the Detailed Description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing the capture and viewing of vehicleimages as described herein over the internet from a server, withoutdownloading required for viewing.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a vehicle with an arced display carrier and anarced carrier for the imaging device and the lighting.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a vehicle with the display behind it.

FIG. 3A is an elevational view depicting a transparent display with thetruck behind it, and a screen on the upper portion of the display.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a vehicle with the arced carrier ofFIG. 2 behind it.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a display carrier with wheel directionadjustable to direct the display carrier through different arcs.

FIG. 5A is a side view of the display carrier of FIG. 5 , showing thesupport for the display and the direction adjustment for the wheels.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the view of the wheels and axle of FIG.5A.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a motorized wheeled dolly (where the wheelscontrol direction) for carrying an operator, an imaging device (on atripod), a computer, lighting and other components.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the chassis and wheels of the dolly ofFIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of an arm with an imaging device attached.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a vehicle with two arced display carriers,each including lighting and an imaging device, and where the carrierstravel on a track.

FIG. 11 shows arm 36 connected with a hinge to a display section.

FIG. 12 shows arm 36 removably connected to a display section.

FIG. 13 shows a flexible enclosure for the imaging system.

FIG. 14 depicts a background display on the interior of the wall portionof the flexible enclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram depicting the capture and display ofhigh-resolution images of a vehicle through the internet, where theimages have the same background. The image files can be automaticallyuploaded to a server, after capture, and are retained on the server.Select images and select portions of the high-resolution images can beviewed on the internet, so as not to require excessive bandwidth forviewing, or image downloading from the server to the viewer’s computer.FSI Viewer (Neptunelabs Gmbh) provides this type of capture and imagedisplay over the internet. Portions of particular images can beselectively zoomed to display them, so that the entirety of all portionsof all images is not streamed at the same instant. Other programs toaccomplish these ends may also be used.

Referring to FIG. 9 , an arm 100 is shown arcing above a vehicle 10,where arm 100 has an imaging device 102 positioned to capture images ofthe uppermost surface of the vehicle. Device 102 can slide along arm 100to also capture images of the sides of vehicle 10, or device 102 can befixed to only capture the uppermost vehicle surface, and a separateimaging device (device 33 in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) can capture the sides ofvehicle 10. Device 102 can also be fixed elsewhere (such as to a beamjoining carriers 20 and 30) to allow viewing the uppermost part ofvehicle 10. The use of device 102 in this manner allows one to generatea simulated three-dimensional view of the vehicle 10, which can berotated through at least one axis during viewing to show differentportions of the exterior surface of the vehicle.

It is possible to view the images directly from the imaging device orfrom the server, or by downloading the images to a viewer’s computer.For wide access for many viewers to the images, and minimizing bandwidthrequirements, the arrangement in FIG. 1 is preferred.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4 , a vehicle 10 is centered between abackground display carrier 20 and a carrier 30. Carrier 30 includes animaging device 33 and lighting 34. Lighting 34 can be strobe lightingcoordinated to be on when each image is captured by device 33, or otherlighting. The capture of images can be timed or otherwise controlled tocreate a series of images showing the entire surface. Another method ofcontrolling image capture is using a digital compass or a travel sensorassociated with the carrier 20 or 30, and thereby controlling imagecapture as the carriers 20 and 30 move a predetermined amount.

Both carriers 20 and 30 consist of several separate sections (21 a-21 gand 31 a-31 e, respectively). Having multiple sections makes carriers 20and 30 more convenient to transport or store, following breaking themdown into the sections. More or fewer sections for carriers 20 and 30,or no sections, are also feasible. Each of the sections 21 a-21 g areequipped with two pairs of wheels 22, on an axle 24, and each of thesections 31 a-31 e are equipped with two pairs of wheels 32, on an axle34.

The wheels 22 and 32 could also ride on a track instead of residing on asurface. Instead of a pair of wheels on an axle, one could substitute asingle wheel, either riding on a track or residing on the same surfaceas the vehicle resides on. A track 140 for accommodating the wheels of acombination carrier and display (described below) is shown in FIG. 10 .

The carriers 20 and 30 are arced as shown, and the wheels 22 and 32would normally be in fixed position with respect to the vertical axis,so that carriers 20 and 30 follow the path their arc’s define as theyrevolve around vehicle 10 on wheels 22 and 32. However, it is possiblefor the aspect of wheels 22 and 32 to be adjustable so that carriers 20and 30 can follow different arced paths. If the device employs a singlewheel, instead of a pair of wheels on an axle, the aspect of that singlewheel can also be altered to control the arc the carriers 20 and 30follow. Where a track as in FIG. 10 accommodates the wheels, the arc ofthe track defines the path followed by the carriers 20 and 30.

Arms 36 and 38 link the ends of carriers 20 and 30, so that they revolvetogether. In one embodiment, arms 36 and 38 should provide enoughclearance to permit vehicle 10 to move in and out from its positionbetween carriers 20 and 30. Other methods of linking carriers 20 and 30include having arms 36 and 38 hinged (to swing horizontally) orremovable (see FIGS. 11 and 12 ). Any such foregoing arrangement of arms36 and 38 would allow the arms 36 and 38 to be moved out of the way whena vehicle is to enter or exit the imaging area. Carriers 20 and 30 couldalso be linked with other arrangements, including by connecting them toone beam which is affixed to the ceiling. Or wheels 22 and 32 of,respectively, carriers 20 and 30 could be separately powered, providedtheir movement is coordinated - for example, by shining electronic beamsfrom one support to a receptor on the opposing support.

In FIGS. 3 and 3A a screen 37 is shown partially in place over thevehicle 10 side of carrier 20. When screen 37 is fully lowered, itdisplays a desirable background for the vehicle 10 when its images arecaptured by imaging device 33. The background on the screen 37 can beany type, including a green screen.

FIGS. 5 and 5A are respectively plan and side views of a carrier 50having a first set of wheels 52 and a second set of wheels 54. At leastone of the sets of wheels 52 or 54 can be rotated with respect to thevertical axis (as shown for wheels 52 in FIG. 6 ) to allow the carrier50 to move on a variety of arced paths. Carrier 50 is a representationof one section of carrier 20, such as section 21 g as shown in FIG. 3 .

In FIG. 7 , dolly 70 has three wheels 72, 74 and 76, a tripod dockingstation 78 (where an adjustable imaging device docking station can beattached to the tripod). Wheels 74 and 76 can be rotated to the otherside of support 75 by rotating plates 74 a and 76 a through ½ turn, sothat dolly 70 can follow an arc in either direction. FIG. 7 shows acomputer docking station 81 for a computer, and a motor 85 or otherdrive unit. Batteries 87 are shown as well. Computer 81 a can uploadimages from device 33 or 102, automatically or under operator control,from where the images can be viewed or transferred to a server. It alsoshows a seat 89 for an operator, and foot pegs 91. FIG. 8 shows atelescoping tripod 93, to which an imaging device can be affixed. Theimaging device can be attached with a movable mount, so it can shoot ata variety of angles.

Motor 85 can drive the wheel 72 in either direction to cause revolutionof the dolly 70 about the vehicle (vehicle 10 in FIGS. 2 to 4 ) ineither direction. Dolly 70 can be linked to carrier 50, or carrier 50can be independent and have its own motor and movement control. In thecase where dolly 70 and carrier 50 have their own motors, their relativepositions to each other and to the vehicle being imaged could bemaintained using electronic beams and receptors on dolly 70 and carrier50, which control the motors to maintain the beams and receptors inalignment. One could also use other methods of movement control i.e., adigital compass 23 a or a travel sensor.

Motor 85 or other motors on carrier 50 or dolly 70 can be electric, gasor diesel, and the dolly 70 can include a position to carry the energysource for motor 87, including a photovoltaic cell or batteries 87.

FIG. 9 shows an arm 100 for carrying an imaging device which can capturethe upper surfaces of vehicle 10. The imaging device 102 can slide upand down along arm 100 and also be locked into position along thesliding arc. Arm 100 would be attached to dolly 70 or the carriers 20 or30.

FIG. 10 depicts carriers 120 and 121 which each include a backgrounddisplay (arranged on the inside of the carriers surfaces, like display37 in FIGS. 3 and 3A), an imaging device 133 or 136, and lights 134 or135. In this embodiment, preferably, each imaging device 133 capturesimages in alternating sequence as the carriers 120 and 121 revolvearound vehicle 10, and each opposing set of lights alternates off andon, and is off when the opposing imaging device is capturing images, andon when the imaging device on its carrier is active. So in FIG. 10 ,lights 134 are on when device 133 captures images, and off when device136 captures images. This allows the correct set of lights to illuminatethe side of vehicle 10 when it is being imaged and prevents interferencewith the image from it capturing light from the opposing set of lights.In FIG. 10 , arms 137 and 138 connect carriers 120 and 121.

A variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is to have carriers 120and 120 joined by a wall (not shown), so as to form a substantiallycontiguous cylinder, but with an entrance for a vehicle somewhere in thecontiguous wall structure. This embodiment could use one, two or moreimaging devices which rotate with the wall structure. The lighting withmultiple cameras would be similar to the arrangements as described andshown for FIG. 10 if multiple cameras are deployed.

The problem of interference from opposing lights could also be solved bypositioning of the lights relative to the imaging devices. If the lightsare positioned high, as shown for lights 34 in FIG. 4 , and the imagingdevice is positioned in a lower plane, even if the lights stay on, theyshould not create much interference, as the imaging devices will not bedirectly pointing at them. To avoid having the opposing imaging deviceappear in the images, the position of the devices can be adjusted - forexample, by moving the devices to opposite ends of the carriers forthem.

FIG. 11 shows arm 138 connected with a hinge to an end section 139 ofcarrier 120. FIG. 12 shows an arm 138 removably connected to an endsection 139 of carrier 120. Either arrangement allows the arm 138 to beremoved so that the vehicle 10 (not shown) can be placed into positionfor imaging, between the displays. Both arms 137 and 138, or either arm,could be removable or hinged. The removable or hinged arm arrangement inFIGS. 11 and 12 can be used with a dual imaging device arrangement (FIG.10 ), or when only imaging device is used.

The entire imaging system and the vehicle as described herein could beenclosed in a structure (not shown), such as a tent, building or dome.The material the tent is made from could be polymer or canvas or otherflexible material. The structure would need to accommodate the entry andexit of vehicles and personnel, so it would typically have a largeentrance doorway (or flap), or an open section, large enough to allowvehicle entry and exit. A tent-like structure is shown in FIG. 13 . Inone embodiment, the interior walls of the structure have the backgrounddisplay imprinted on them, thereby eliminating the need for a displaycarrier. The structure should have a roof to block ambient light (aswell as rain and snow) and keep the image quality consistent.

It should be understood that the terms and expressions used herein areexemplary only and not limiting, and that the scope of the invention isdefined only in the claims which follow, and includes all equivalents ofthe subject matter of the claims.

1-21. (canceled)
 22. An apparatus for producing images of the commonlyviewed exterior surfaces of a vehicle, while maintaining the samebackground view for multiple images of the vehicle, comprising: at leastone curved upright display having a curved upper edge, a curved loweredge and a display surface on its inner concave surface; said curvedupright display having wheels at its base below the curved lower edge,said wheels resting on a looped track having its track loop sized suchthat the curve of the looped track matches the curve of the lower edge;said curved upright display having at least one open section largeenough for the vehicle to pass through and having an arm at the top ofthe open section positioned high enough for the vehicle to pass under;an imaging device mounted opposite the display surface and fixedrelative to said curved upright display such that the imaging device andsaid curved upright display maintain their relative positions withrespect to each other when said curved upright display rolls on thelooped track; the track loop is further sized such that the vehicle canbe positioned inside the track loop whereby the imaging device and saidcurved upright display revolve around the vehicle when said curvedupright display rolls on the looped track, and wherein the wheels ofsaid curved upright display and the wheels of the vehicle are the sameor similar heights from, respectively, a contact surface of the trackand a supporting surface for the wheels of the vehicle, such that atleast one horizontal plane passes through the wheels of the vehicle andthe wheels of said curved upright display; and wherein the imagingdevice captures images of different portions of the vehicle during arevolution, and the display surface is also captured in said images, andwherein the images are sufficiently pixilated such that damage to thevehicle exterior surface can be viewed when the images are displayed.23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said curved upright displays aremade of a flexible material.
 24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein theupper edges of said curved upright display are joined to form a dome.25. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the imaging device is a Canon 5DMark II or Canon 7D camera.
 26. An apparatus for producing images of thecommonly viewed exterior surfaces of a vehicle, while maintaining thesame background view for multiple images of the vehicle, comprising: animaging device mounted on a first support having wheels, and a displayon one surface of a second support having wheels, where the first andsecond supports are opposed and physically linked by arms which runbetween and join the first and second supports together such that thefirst support and the second support can revolve around the vehiclewhich is positioned between them, while maintaining their positionsrelative to each other and to the vehicle; the wheels of the first andsecond supports and the wheels of the vehicle are the same or similarheights from a supporting surface for each, such that at least onehorizontal plane passes through the wheels of the vehicle and the wheelsof the first and second supports; the arms are either positioned highenough relative to the supporting surface such that the vehicle can passfreely underneath the arms or, the arms can be moved out of the way orremoved to allow the vehicle to be positioned between the first supportand the second support; and the imaging device captures images ofdifferent portions of the vehicle during a revolution, and the displayis also captured in said images, and wherein the images are sufficientlypixilated such that damage to the vehicle exterior surface can be viewedwhen the images are displayed.
 27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein thedisplay is curved and the imaging device captures a concave portion ofthe display.
 28. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the first support andthe second support are curved.
 29. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein thefirst and second supports both have a set of pairs of wheels, with eachsaid pair mounted on an axle, and each member of each pair of wheelsrests on one of two concentric track rails.
 30. The apparatus of claim26 wherein the first and second supports both have a row of wheels whichare aligned with the direction of travel of the respective first andsecond supports.
 31. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the row of wheelsreside on a single looped track.
 32. The apparatus of claim 31 whereinthe wheels of the vehicle and the single looped track both rest on thesupporting surface.
 33. An apparatus for producing images of thecommonly viewed exterior surfaces of a vehicle, while maintaining thesame background view for multiple images of the vehicle, comprising: anupright support having a mounted imaging device, wheels at the base ofthe upright support, and first and second upright supporting portions,wherein the first and second upright supporting portions are connectedwith at least a first arm that is horizontally-extending and positionedhigh enough relative to a first supporting surface for the uprightsupport and a second supporting surface for the vehicle, such that thevehicle can pass freely underneath the arm; a display on an insidesurface of said second upright supporting portion wherein said displayis captured as an image by the imaging device; wherein the uprightsupport and the mounted imaging device are configured to togetherrevolve on a looped track around the vehicle; wherein the wheels of theupright support and the wheels of the vehicle are the same or similarheights from the first and second supporting surfaces such that at leastone horizontal plane passes through the wheels of the vehicle and thewheels of the upright support; and the wheels of the upright supportroll on a looped track; and wherein the imaging device captures imagesof different exterior portions of the vehicle during a revolution of theupright support, and said images are sufficiently pixilated such thatdamage to the vehicle exterior surface can be viewed when the images aredisplayed.
 34. The apparatus of claim 33 further including a second armconnecting said first and second upright supporting portions, saidsecond arm positioned opposed to said first arm and said second arm isalso horizontally-extending and positioned high enough relative to firstand second supporting surfaces, such that the vehicle can pass freelyunderneath the second arm.
 35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein thearms are beams.
 36. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the arms arehinged.
 37. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the arms are removable.38. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the wheels of the vehicle and thelooped track both rest on the same surface.
 39. The apparatus of claim33 wherein the wheels of the vehicle and the looped track both reside inthe same horizontal plane.
 40. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein thelooped track consists of two concentric track rails.
 41. The apparatusof claim 33 wherein the looped track is contiguous and defines asubstantially circular perimeter.